at the intersection of encouragement and empowerment

Last week, I found myself working an early morning shift at a local store where I work part time two days a week. During my shift while the store was still closed, I was at the front counter organizing order forms while talking with two of my co-workers. The one co-worker is a young African-American … [Read more…]

Standing in front of me, I could see my face in the reflection of his aviator sunglasses. Even though we shared the same height, his muscular physique and intimidating posture was enough for me to shake in my poorly laced boots. “Your boot laces are a mess, Lieutenant!” he shouted in a deep voice with … [Read more…]

Accompanying my dad and grandfather to close our family cottage every October as a teenager was something of a tradition. Taking place usually on a Saturday, the three of us would end the summer in Conneaut Lake, PA by putting up storm windows, draining the hot water tank, and yes, even draining the toilets in … [Read more…]

It was about seven years ago that I picked up running as an exercise. One summer in my early 20s while back home in Western Pennsylvania, I can recall running on a dusty dirt trail on an overcast and humid day. With cramps forming on my side and aches in my back, I found myself … [Read more…]

One of the things that my family is not really known for is giving hugs. While I grew up with two loving parents, expressing it through hugging wasn’t necessarily “our thing.” For me, learning how to give and embrace hugs was something I had to learn how to do in ministry. Particularly since hugging is … [Read more…]

As a small child, I can remember watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood every morning. For me and millions of other children, Fred Rogers was the best friend we had. But besides the lessons, we received on how to tie our shoes or the many imaginative trips we took to the “Land of Make Believe,” there was … [Read more…]

It was within the final few moments of our free community dinner program that my congregation runs every Wednesday night in our church basement. This community dinner program, which attracts a wide variety of individuals ranging from college students to those with families, is not only a way for people to build relationships with those … [Read more…]

It was an image that I saw Saturday night on television that seemed long overdue. The image of the New Year’s “ball drop” in New York City officially letting us know that 2016 was over. And it was that image which couldn’t have come any sooner. It goes without saying that 2016 was a divided … [Read more…]

Recently, I found myself reflecting on experiencing Christmas nine years ago shortly after my mother passed away from lung cancer. It was 2007 and it was a difficult year for me. As a senior in my final year of college, I found myself unsure where my life would be taking me after graduation. At the … [Read more…]